"Frankenstein"- Connection

In "Frankenstein," one of the main themes is the guilt that Frankenstein feels for the supposed acts of his "creation." After the untimely deaths of both William and Justine, he expresses that he is "torn by remorse, horror, and despair," all of which caused because of the "first hapless victims to [his] unhallowed arts" (page 85). He admits that it is because of his acts to achieve such greatness that Justin and William had to die and he also puts all of this blame on himself. This guilt appears to be what is going to drive most of the novel and the actions which Frankenstein performs.

Like in "Frankenstein," guilt was also what drove the action in "The Kite Runner." Like Frankenstein, Amir was driven by his guilt for what had happened between Hassan and him and this also drove the action of the novel. He sought redemption and Frankenstein is also seeking a form of redemption through revenge when he decides he will seek out his creation. As Amir's guilt affected him throughout his entire life, the reader also gets a sense that the same is true for Frankenstein. This glimpse is shown through Robert Walton's testimony during the letters of the way Frankenstein acted. These two books are connected through this common theme of guilt and how to make things right again.

"Frankenstein"- Imagery

Throughout the novel, imagery is constantly present, playing a large role in the mood and meaning of the work. For instance, on page 92, while describing the imagery of the mountains, Frankenstein begins by describing it as calm and serene, saying, "the unstained snowy mountaintop, the glittering pinnacle, the pine woods, and ragged bare ravine, the eagle, soaring amidst the clouds-- they all gathered round me and bade me be at peace" (page 92). This imagery serves to set a peaceful tone and also serves to contrast the imagery in the next section. Directly after this imagery is presented, Frankenstein tells of how he fell asleep and also describes the scene he awoke to. He says, "all of soul-inspiriting fled with sleep, and dark melancholy clouded every thought. The rain was pouring in torrents..." (page 92). The sudden change in imagery here serves a specific purpose. It serves to hint that something bad or seemingly bad is going to happen. It allows the reader to know that something is going to happen which will damper Frankenstein's short-lasting peaceful spirits which were brought on by the beautiful nature. This event which brings him back down is his unexpected encounter with the monster. When he encounters the monster, all of his furry and rage is brought back to the surface and he is once again reminded of his guilt for the deaths of William and Justine. The imagery serves as a for-warning for what is about to come.

"Frankenstein"- theme

In "Frankenstein", one major theme which comes up during the monsters retelling of his story is that of nature vs. nurture, nature being that which people are inherently born with and nurture being what they are formed into by surrounding people or the environment. Unlike most misconceptions of the monster being a big green scary thing that is evil and takes out people's brains, the monster is not my nature "evil" or "big green and scary." When he is watching the family and learning of their unfortunate circumstances, the monster admits that "[he] had been accustomed, during the night, to steal part of their store for [his] own consumption, but when [he] found that doing this [he] inflicted pain of the cottagers, [he] abstained and satisfied [himself] with berries, nuts , and roots..." (page 106). Along with feeling regret for causing them pain, he also goes out of his way to make life easier on the family by gathering wood for them and clearing a path in the snow so the husband/son will not have to. This all shows that it was not in the monster's nature to be evil or bad, but he was actually kindhearted and caring. It is through nurture, that the monster learns how people act and also how to speak. Unfortunately, it is also because of nurture that he begins to despise people and want to cause him harm as he told Frankenstein when he encountered him on the mountain. People mistreated him so badly, that the nurture or environment around him cause him to want to do evil things.

"Frankenstein"- Frame Story

So far, "Frankenstein" has switched narration three times. Each time the point of view changes, a new story is told, making this novel a frame story. First, is Robert Walton with his letters to his sister. His purpose in the story line is to introduce Victory Frankenstein which happens when he picks up this "Pacific Hitchhiker" who then opens up to him telling the story of his past. The change happens when one day Frankenstein says that he feels Walton can learn from his past misfortunes telling Walton to

"listen to my history, and you will perceive how irrevocably it is determined" (page 29).

While sharing his past misfortunes, Victor includes the monsters life story, which provides another switch of narration. This happens when Victor encounters the monster he created and in trying to win over Victor, the monster shares what he has gone through. He pleads with him, saying "hear my tale; it is long and strange..." (page 97). This line which serves as a connection from Frankensteins story to the monsters story, is similar to the way in which Frankenstein approached Walton when asking to share his story. They both ask their listener to listen to the entire story before judging what has happened. Maybe, Frankenstein and the monster are more similar than Frankenstein originally believed.

"The Kite Runner"- Rahim Khan

"I remember he said to me, 'Rahim, a boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything.' I wonder, is that what you've become?'" (page 221). Throughout the novel, I was often confused as to who Rahim Khan was and what role he played in the storyline. It was during this section that I realized, Rahim Khan was in some ways Amir's living conscience who was always calling him back to his past life. Rahim Khan was not only Baba's business partner, but he also played the role of Amir's advisor throughout the majority of his life. He drew Amir's attention to things that he had not seen before and made him realize what he needed to do. It was during this passage that I realized the major role Rahim Khan plays in the novel. He is the one who leads Amir to Sohrab and redemption. He brings Amir and Hassan back together at last when he unites Amir with Sohrab. He also allows Amir to move on with his life with less blame and regret by passing on Hassan's letters to Amir. It is because of Rahim Khan that Amir is able to forgive himself and Sohrab is able to be saved and live a better life in America. Rahim Khan is in many ways Amir's spiritual guide and he leads him through the mazes of life.

"The Kite Runner"- Hassan and Amir

"Hassan had loved me once, loved me in a way that no one ever had or ever would again. He was gone now, but a little part of him lived on. It was in Kabul. Waiting" (page 227). In this passage, Amir finally realizes what he must do in order to make up for his "past of unatoned sins." He realizes that everyone in his life betrayed him in some way, but Hassan was the only person who had never done so. He also finally recognized the unwavering love that Hassan had for him. This passage shows that not only did Amir go to save Sohrab for redemption, but he also did it for Hassan. He went to save a boy he didn't even know simply because he loved his childhood friend that much. While at first, he was reluctant to go, he eventually came to his senses and realized what he must do. He broke out of his cowardice and came to terms with everything he had done. In a way, he was proving his unwavering love for Hassan by rescuing his son and bringing him back to safety. Because of what Amir finally did, he is one of my personal favorite characters. He realized the change he must make and he did what had to be done plus more.

"The Kite Runner"- dynamic character

"Then I did what I hadn't done in fifteen years of marriage: I told my wife everything. Everything. I had pictured this moment so many times, dreaded it, but, as I spoke, I felt something lifting off my chest" (page 325). At the beginning of the novel, Amir has trouble coming to terms with his past. He sees himself as a coward and he is constantly lying about his past. Because of his denials and lies, he faces many problems in his future life. Throughout the entire first half of the novel, Amir is battling with this internal conflict of the past he has lived and whether or not he should attempt to redeem himself or share his past with others. When he finally, goes to "make himself good again," he starts to make a dynamic change. He eventually goes to Afghanistan and the peak moment of his transformation from a coward to being brave and standing up for himself and others comes when he fights Assef and refuses to leave without Sohrab. Amir finally makes this cross-over for cowardice to bravery, and at the same time, achieves his redemption. When he calls Soraya and tells her about his past, he is once again making an important change and allowing others into his life to help him. Because of these changes Amir makes, he can be classified as a dynamic character.